I have, at my nearest post to him, a garrison consisting of one entire company of my regiment, thirty-four enlisted men and three commissioned officers. Two boats are now, and to-night I hope to have three, well manned and armed with artillery, patrolling the Columbia, to impede and delay, if they cannot entirely prevent, the crossing north of the hostiles. General Howard is pursuing. WHEATON. Received at Headquarters Military Division of the Pacific and Department of California July 9, 1878, and telegraphed to General Sherman same day. [Telegram.] CAMP MCDERMITT, NEVADA, ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Presidio San Francisco: July 8, 1878. Winnemucca returned from scout to Stein's Mountain; went as far as Harney Lake. Thinks a few straggling hostiles still in the mountains. Two citizens in to-day report fifty hostiles beyond White Horse moving northward Crooked River; doubt the report; will send out scouts to ascertain truth. HASBROUCK, Commanding. Received at Headquarters Military Division of the Pacific and Department of California July 8, 1878. [Telegram.] HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION PACIFIC AND General SHERMAN, Washington, D. C.: DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA, Presidio San Francisco, Cal., July 8, 1878. Following dispatch just received from Lieutenant Sladen, aid-de-camp, dated Fort Vancouver: "Dispatch from Kress, dated Umatilla to-day, says: 'Left here at 2 a. m. for Long Island. Thirteen miles below a party of hostile Indians passed from left to right bank of Columbia River after we passed that point at daybreak. They had about five hundred horses, three hundred of which crossed, and about twenty Indians. Think the party numbered forty or fifty. Captured and destroyed entire camp outfit, property, canoes, &c. Came up for rations; will return at once. Major Worth's command left at 6 this morning."" I have had Egan's and Smith's companies, Fourth Artillery, Thompson's, Twelfth Infantry, Wells' Eighth Infantry, come by forced marches from Camp McDermitt to Winnemucca. They arrived at latter place last night; will come by rail to-day and leave by steamer to-morrow for the Columbia. Corliss' company, Eighth Infantry, just in from Camp McDowell via Yuma, goes with them; all under Major Mizner, Eighth Infantry. MCDOWELL, Major-General. ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Division Pacific, Presidio San Francisco: Dispatches from Wheaton dated yesterday state small bands Indians with large number horses crossed to north side Columbia River at different points yesterday morning. Captain Kress with patrol-boat attacked and dispersed three bands at different points, captured and destroyed boats, packs, and camping outfit, landing and skirmishing with two parties. This below Umatilla. Above that point, Captain Wilkinson with another boat came upon party crossing, scattered them, capturing and destroying their boats and supplies. Worth's command has been placed on another boat, and is now patrolling river. SLADEN, Aid. Received Headquarters Military Division Pacific and Department of California July 10, 1878, and telegraphed same date to General Sherman, Washington, D. C. Maj. Gen. IRVIN MCDOWELL: [Telegram.] SALEM, OREG., June 27, 1878. I have advices that portion of Indians on Klamath Reservation are hostile, and that some settlers have already been murdered. I therefore respectfully request that troops stationed there may not be withdrawn. S. F. CHADWICK, Governor. Received Headquarters Military Division Pacific and Department California June 28, 1878. [Telegram.] SALEM, OREG., June 28, 1878. Major General MCDOWELL, San Francisco, Cal: "LINKVILLE, OREG., June 26, 1878. "Portion Indians Klamath reservation hostile. Settlers Sprague River Valley driven off. Settlers Klamath Basin, Lost River Valley, moving into Linkville. Five settlers Warner Valley murdered. Need protection. Troops Fort Klamath should not be removed. Indians east working this way. Please send arms here. Authorize enrollment three companies mounted militia protect settlements this section and prevent outbreak Indians on reservation. (Signed) Geo. Neuse, J. W. Hamaker, Quincy A. Brooks, J. T. Forbes, H. M. Tatcher, Louis Land, S. B. Cranston." Am ready to call for volunteers whenever you think it necessary and will authorize it. Do you need any such assistance? If not, can I procure guns and ammunition from Fort Klamath, in case of necessity, to arm settlers? S. F. CHADWICK, Received Headquarters Military Division Pacific and Department California June 28, 1878. Repeated to Adjutant-General same date. [Telegram.] HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION PACIFIC Governor CHADWICK, Salem, Oreg.: Your telegram received. The troops at Klamath are under the immediate orders of General Howard, who certainly will not withdraw them so long as the Indians in the vicinity of the post are as hostile as you represent. Arms for the State can be issued only on your requisition upon the Secretary of War, as directed by joint resolution of Congress approved June eighteenth, seventy-eight. General Howard does not call for volunteers. If called out by you the Secretary, in respect to them, states in telegram of June fourteenth as follows: There is no authority in law to accept services of volunteers. If the governor organizes volunteers on his own responsibility, they may co-operate with the regular force, and in great emergency may be furnished supplies absolutely necessary, but no assurance can be given of military service by volunteers being recognized by the United States." [Telegram.] MCDOWELL, Major-General. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE COLUMBIA, ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Division Pacific, San Francisco: and are with them. General Howard is of opinion hostiles intend to move north following Silver Creek, striking nearest route to South Fork John Day River, then up Granite to Bridge's Creek, joining discontented Cayuses and other Indians as may be in that vicinity. To provide for this contingency, Grover will be sent at once to Walla Walla. The companies of cavalry in the district of the Clearwater and those now under Major Sanford will constitute his command in the field-E, D, H, I, and M companies, First Cavalry, total, two hundred and forty men-with such additions of artillery and infantry as the district commander may judge proper to assign. Major Sanford with D and I companies will halt near Malheur City and go into camp on Willow Creek till the probabilities of the Indians going north are determined. If hostiles move north, Sanford will move his command, join Grover. As Bendire is so near this point he will come forward at once with the infantry and artillery battalions now moving forward. General Howard for the present will remain with this column, consisting of four companies of cavalry, two of artillery, and seven of infantry, total four hundred and eighty men, and will follow right after the enemy whichever way he may turn. You will keep General Howard informed as to affairs in your district or anything relating to the hostiles which may be ascertained by you. Should you lose communication with the general, the force at McDermitt should in the event of a northward movement pass to the railroad, thence by steamer to Wallula as fast as possible, with such increase of force as the division commander thinks proper. Possibly it may be best to call for an Eastern regiment. It will be September before it could reach here, but it could reach you in two weeks; therefore it had better be sent to you. If you take the field yourself, Grover can command the cavalry, Merriam the infantry, and Miller the artillery. The Umatillas in Fox Valley are said to have sent their women and children to the reservation and threaten to join the hostiles. The general thinks it would be wise to have a point of observation on the Umatilla Reservation and there (?) station Grover's force. It will be necessary to act promptly. The general arrived at this, Bernard's, camp at noon to-day. Above dispatch sent General Wheaton, Walla Walla. WOOD, Aide." SLADEN, Aide. Received Headquarters Military Division of the Pacific and Department of California June 28, 1878. Extracts telegraphed General Sherman same date. HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION PACIFIC The ADJUTANT-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY, Washington, D. C.: The agent of the company at Boisé City has been so informed through Major Green, First Cavalry, who was requested to lay the matter before the governor of Idaho as one which possibly he could do something in respect to with the volunteer force he has called out. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, IRVIN MCDOWELL, Major-General, Commanding Division and Department. [Telegram.] WASHINGTON, D. C., June 29, 1878. General I. MCDOWELL, Commanding Division, San Francisco, Cal.: Your dispatches of last night received and considered. The transfer of the Eighteenth Infantry from Atlanta to Oregon will be so costly that we insist you should clearly and positively request another infantry regiment before making the orders. General Howard's allusion to a regiment from the East is too indefinite to base action upon. W. T. SHERMAN, General. Received at Headquarters Military Division of the Pacific and Department of California June 29, 1878. [Telegram.] HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION PACIFIC General W. T. SHERMAN, Washington, D. C.: I shall not ask for more troops till the request is clearly and positively made by Howard, or the necessity becomes absolutely imperative in my own judgment. I sent you Howard's dispatch to keep you well informed and prepare you to not be taken by surprise if an application should be made. If we have some marked success soon, nothing will be wanted. If a reverse or serious check should happen, or if the present tension is not soon relieved, we may ask your aid. I have sent Howard all that could go from California, the battery leaving their guns and going as cavalry, and I have brought up three companies of the Eighth Infantry from Arizona, which will be sent to him as soon as events shall indicate the point. Then, as you have enjoined, I will have done the best I could with what I have. That the Eighteenth Regiment be not taken by surprise, I suggest it be notified to hold itself in readiness to march. If not called for, no harm will come; if it is, it will be able to come the sooner and the better prepared. The indications are that the Indians about Camp Bidwell whom the Indian Department wished the aid of the Army to place on the reservation, have also joined the hostiles. In fact, the Indians are afraid and distrustful of the whites, and the latter the same of the Indians, and it is not possible to predict how far the trouble may spread. MCDOWELL, Major-General. [Telegram.] WHITE HORSE, NEV., June 29, 1878. Major-General MCDOWELL, San Francisco: Our condition is the same as it was when we applied to you on the fourteenth instant. We are greatly in need of assistance. Can we have it? If you can send us troops we would like to have Captain Wagner, as he is well acquainted with the country. Received at Headquarters Military Division of the Pacific and Department of California July 1, 1878. [Telegram.] HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION PACIFIC W. B. TODHUNTER, White Horse, care of Commanding Officer, Camp McDermitt, Nev.: [Telegram.] FORT VANCOUVER, WASH., July 1, 1878. ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Division of Pacific, San Francisco: Following dispatch just received from governor of Oregon, dated to-day: "CANYON CITY, OREG., June 29. "GOVERNOR CHADWICK: Our scouting party surrounded by Indians and fighting on South Fork John Day River. Indians are pouring into John Day Valley. Militia force not sufficient to protect us, and are in rear of the Indians. No troops in our valley. We have but few arms and ammunition. Order State militia immediately to our assistance. Forward arms and ammunition with escort to arm our citizens. Raise them at The Dalles if you can. Time is precious. "F. C. SELS, "Captain Grant County Home Guards." "The above dispatch received this a. m. Can you not send this to officers in the field who can give immediate relief? Please see instructions to General Wheaton, June 25, as to situation. Above dispatch sent Generals Howard and Wheaton. "CHADWICK." SLADEN, Aide. Received at Headquarters Military Division Pacific and Department of California July 2, 1878. [Telegram.] HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION PACIFIC Governor CHADWICK, Salem, Oreg.: Your dispatch to department headquarters at Portland was forwarded to me. In response thereto I have sent two companies of infantry just from Arizona, all I have, up the Columbia River. They leave on the steamer to-morrow. MCDOWELL, Major-General. HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF PACIFIC AND DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA, OFFICE CHIEF QUARTERMASTER, SIR: I have the honor to invite attention to the state of our transportation in the field, and to suggest that our present method of operating, by hiring mules and horses, be changed as soon as authority can be obtained, under the new appropriation to buy mules and equipments, to fit out a pack-train for field-service. In my opinion, 200 mules should be bought immediately for packing purposes, and 180 for wagon-service, to be organized into six-mule teams. It is recommended that 50 six-mule wagons be sent here by rail, consigned to the depot quartermaster at the Presidio; also 200 packsaddles, or that authority be given to purchase them in San Francisco. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. B. HOLABIRD, Deputy Quartermaster-General, U. S. A., Chief Quartermaster. ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Military Division Pacific and Department of California, Presidio of San Francisco, Cal. Received Headquarters Military Division Pacific and Department of California July 2, 1878. [Telegram.] HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE COLORADO, IN THE FIELD, KELTON, ADJUTANT-GENERAL, San Francisco: |